Carthage
A History
Serge Lancel(Author)
Blackwell Publishers
Published on 10. May 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
475 pages
978-1-57718-103-3 (ISBN)
Description
Carthage, now a spectacular ruin on the North coast of Africa, was the capital of one of the ancient world's most powerful empires. This book describes its history, from foundation by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC to destruction by the Romans some six centuries later. The volume opens with a narrative account of the expansion of the Phoenician trade empire from the 10th to the 5th centuries BC. The author then examines the growth of Carthage from a colony of Tyre to the capital of a western empire that stretched across Africa, from modern-day Libya to the coast beyond the Pillars of Hercules, and in Europe from Spain through Sardinia to Sicily. The central part of the book creates a portrait of Carthage at the peak of its power. Professor Lancel describes its society, trade, rituals and religion. He presents a picture of the Carthaginian urban and rural landscape, the latter featuring great estates, sprawling villas and huge parks, constructed and maintained by large numbers of slaves, and protected against slave revolts and piratic invasions by extensive walls and defensive towers. This was a sophisticated, urbane and cultured society.
The two penultimate chapters tell the story of the great conflict with Rome, famously featuring Hannibal's crossing of the Alps, and concluding with the city's destruction in 146 BC. The author concludes with an essay on what of Punic culture survived the demise of the city. The book draws on the latest findings of archaeological research throughout the Mediterranean, on technical research from many disciplines, and on all surviving contemporary writing. It is illustrated with maps and photographs.
The two penultimate chapters tell the story of the great conflict with Rome, famously featuring Hannibal's crossing of the Alps, and concluding with the city's destruction in 146 BC. The author concludes with an essay on what of Punic culture survived the demise of the city. The book draws on the latest findings of archaeological research throughout the Mediterranean, on technical research from many disciplines, and on all surviving contemporary writing. It is illustrated with maps and photographs.
More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
New edition
Illustrations
167 photographs, 81 figures, maps, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
643 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-57718-103-3 (9781577181033)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Content
The founding of Carthage; the establishment of the city; the beginnings of empire; the independent state; the development of the city; religion; expansion into Africa; the culture of Carthage; the struggle with Rome; the final ordeal; the manner of survival; chronological overview; guide to further reading, Henry Hurst.